Investments in Science and Technology Projects to help Protect Canadians

Defence Minister, Robert Nicholson and Public Safety Minister, Steven Blaney, today announced investments of approximately $14.5 million to fund innovative science and technology projects. These new projects will help Canada become more resilient to global and domestic safety and security threats, including natural disasters, major accidents, crime and terrorism.

This investment is the result of a second annual public call for proposals issued in July 2013, which has identified 20 projects to be led by 15 different federal, provincial, territorial, municipal or academic organizations. The projects bring together the best minds from across the country in government, academia and private sector to work together and develop science and technology solutions to public safety and security challenges. The projects are funded under the Canadian Safety and Security Program (CSSP), which is led by Defence Research and Development Canada’s Centre for Security Science (DRDC CSS), in partnership with Public Safety Canada.

Quick Facts

CSSP projects bring together science and technology, and public safety and security experts from government, industry and academia, nationally and internationally, to develop knowledge and tools, and provide advice that contributes to safeguarding the lives and livelihood of Canadians.

In March, 2013, the Government of Canada announced an inaugural investment of approximately $20 million for innovative science and technology projects under the same program.

Quotes

“Our government is continuing to invest resources to support science, technology and innovative organizations. These investments will help ensure Canada is resilient to public safety and security threats. In bringing together the best minds from government, industry and academia, these projects support the development of knowledge, tools, processes, advice and strategies that are essential for safeguarding Canada.”

The Honourable Robert NicholsonMinister of National Defence

“In an increasingly interconnected world, disasters and threats pose a greater challenge to the resilience of our communities. Through the Canadian Safety and Security Program, we are taking steps to harness innovative science and technology to reduce the risks and impacts of emergencies in order to protect Canadians and their families.”

The Honourable Steven BlaneyMinister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness

Associated Links

Contacts

Julie Di MambroPress Secretary to the Minister of National DefenceOffice of the Minister of the Department of National Defence(613) 996-3100

Media RelationsDefence Research and Development Canada613-992-7237

The Canadian Safety and Security Program’s mission is to strengthen Canada’s ability to anticipate, prevent/mitigate, prepare for, respond to, and recover from acts of terrorism, crime, natural disasters, and serious accidents through the convergence of Science and Technology (S&T) with policy, operations and intelligence.

Defence Research and Development Canada is the national leader in defence and security science and technology. As an agency of Canada’s Department of National Defence, Defence Research and Development Canada provides the Department of National Defence, the Canadian Armed Forces and other government departments as well as the public safety and national security communities with the knowledge and technology advantage needed to defend and protect Canada’s interests at home and abroad.